Robotaxi Race: Waymo, Apollo Go, Zoox, Pony and WeRide — 2026-09-20
Waymo announced plans to launch paid robotaxi services in Singapore by 2028 and confirmed a 2027 launch in Tokyo with local partners Nihon Kotsu and GO. Meanwhile, regulatory scrutiny intensified in the U.S. as Texas reported its first fatal autonomous vehicle collision, and NBC News revealed that emergency contact numbers for robotaxi fleets were frequently disconnected or unstaffed.
Robotaxi Race: Waymo, Apollo Go, Zoox, Pony and WeRide — 2026-09-20
Top developments
Waymo Confirms Singapore Launch for 2028
On September 18, 2026, Waymo announced its intention to offer paid robotaxi services in Singapore starting in 2028, marking its first entry into Southeast Asia. The company is currently mapping roads using Jaguar I-PACE EVs and plans to seek regulatory approval from Singaporean authorities in 2027. This move follows Waymo’s recent expansion into Las Vegas as its 15th U.S. city, signaling an aggressive international growth strategy alongside its domestic dominance.
Waymo Sets 2027 Launch Date for Tokyo
Waymo confirmed on September 15, 2026, that it will launch fully autonomous taxi services in Tokyo in 2027 through partnerships with taxi operator Nihon Kotsu and ride-hailing app GO. The initial deployment is expected to include approximately 100 vehicles, accessible via both the Waymo and GO apps. This announcement provides the first official timeline for Waymo’s commercial operations in Asia, a region where strict regulations have previously hindered autonomous vehicle testing.
Texas Records First Fatal Autonomous Vehicle Collision
A robotaxi operator reported the first fatality involving an autonomous vehicle in Texas to the federal database following a collision in Dallas. The incident, reported around September 16, 2026, highlights growing safety concerns as robotaxi fleets expand across the state. Statewide, 22 robotaxi incidents were reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the four weeks ending August 17, with eight occurring in Austin alone.
Emergency Contact Failures Revealed in Robotaxi Fleets
NBC News conducted tests of emergency contact numbers published by autonomous vehicle companies in Texas and found that many were disconnected or unstaffed. Texas law requires AV companies to provide first responders with reliable contact methods during emergencies, but the investigation revealed significant gaps in compliance. This finding comes amid increased scrutiny of robotaxi safety protocols, particularly after reports of vehicles impeding emergency services in San Diego and other cities.
Pony.ai CEO Discusses Scaling Challenges and Profitability
In a recent interview released around September 18, 2026, Pony.ai CEO Peng Jun (James Peng) discussed the company’s progress toward profitability, noting that monthly per-vehicle operations turned positive in Shenzhen. Peng highlighted that while technology maturity was achieved around 2023, scaling faces hurdles including overseas regulations, logistics, and geopolitical issues. He also mentioned plans to expand the fleet from current levels to 3,000 units by the end of 2026, emphasizing price competitiveness as a key advantage.
Local view
China: Public Skepticism and Operational Realities
Local Chinese media and social platforms continue to discuss the normalization of robotaxis, with Sina Weibo users sharing experiences of encountering Apollo Go and Pony.ai vehicles. While some users express curiosity about the cleanliness and pricing of driverless taxis, others remain skeptical about the presence of safety drivers in some vehicles and the reliability of customer service during malfunctions. Discussions often reference the "system malfunction" incidents from earlier in the year, where Apollo Go riders were stranded, questioning the robustness of current support systems.
Context & numbers
- Waymo Ride Volume: Waymo continues to report over 500,000 weekly paid rides, aiming for 1 million weekly rides by the end of 2026.
- Apollo Go Scale: Baidu’s Apollo Go has reported a peak of 350,000+ weekly autonomous rides, with 3.2 million fully driverless operational rides in Q1 2026.
- Texas Incidents: In the four weeks ending August 17, 2026, 22 robotaxi fender-benders were reported statewide in Texas, with 8 occurring in Austin.
- Pony.ai Fleet Goals: Pony.ai aims to reach a fleet size of 3,000 vehicles by the end of 2026, up from current levels, driven by recent profitability milestones in Shenzhen.
On the radar
- Singapore Regulatory Approval: Watch for Waymo’s formal application to Singapore’s Land Transport Authority in 2027, which will be critical for the 2028 launch.
- NHTSA Cybercab Investigation: Federal investigators are examining Tesla’s Cybercab deployment in Austin, focusing on emergency response protocols for vehicles lacking traditional controls like steering wheels and pedals.
- San Diego Safeguards: The San Diego City Council is pushing for stricter safeguards surrounding robotaxis, particularly regarding their interaction with first responders and emergency scenes.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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